Information distribution and processing system

ABSTRACT

An information distribution and processing system contains a sender and a plurality of processing units. The sender delivers a set of digital data, without receiving a request signal, to the plurality of processor units. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to a database. The database contains additional information. The associated linking reference is used by the data to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/322,624, filed Dec. 19, 2002; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/079,257, filed Feb. 19, 2002 (now abandoned); which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/699,022, filed Oct. 27, 2000 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/480,226, filed Jan. 10, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,215); which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/939,368, filed Sep. 29, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,307); which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/644,838, filed May 10, 1996 (now abandoned); which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/279,424, filed Jul. 25, 1994 (now abandoned); all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to information distribution, and more particularly to distributing information using a broadcast channel and a bi-directional communication channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent advancements in modem and computer technology allow large amounts of digital data to be transmitted electronically. A number of information providers (such as newspaper and magazine publishers) and on-line information distributors have formed partnerships to deliver newspaper and other information on-line. In this system, a subscriber uses a computer and a modem to connect, through a regular phone line, to the computer of an on-line information provider. The subscriber can retrieve information, including newspaper articles, stored in the computer of the information provider.

On-line delivery of newspaper has many advantages. For example, the information can be updated throughout the day while the printed version is printed only once or twice a day. Further, it is possible to do text-based searches on the information. However, it is found that on-line delivery of newspaper and other information is slow. For example, a subscriber has to wait many seconds for a newspaper article to be delivered. The quality of the electronic newspaper is low. For example, in order to reduce storage and communication requirements, graphic images appearing in the printed version are not universally supplied in the on-line version of newspaper. One of the reasons for such poor performance is the limited bandwidth of communication channels used by on-line information distributors. Another reason is that information is centrally processed by the computer at the site of the information distributor, with the result that each subscriber only gets a small slice of the time of the computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses two channels to deliver digital information: a broadcast channel and a bi-directional channel. The broadcast channel is used to deliver the bulb of the digital information to subscribers. The amount of information delivered is preferably sufficient to satisfy the needs of a large number of subscribers so that they do not have to obtain additional information using the bi-directional channel. The broadcasted information is stored on fast storage media located at subscriber sites. As a result, search and retrieval of the broadcasted information is quick. Further, the broadcasted information is processed locally using a dedicated on-site processor instead of relying on the computers of the information distributors. As a result, the load on the computers of the information distributors is reduced. If the subscribers desire to receive additional information relating to the broadcasted information, the bi-directional communication channel is used to transmit the request and the requested information.

The distribution costs of broadcast channels are typically much lower than that of a bi-directional communication channel. Consequently, the major portion of information is delivered using low cost distribution channels. For a large number of subscribers, the broadcasted information will provide all the information they normally need. Thus, expensive bi-directional communication channels are used only occasionally.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be fully understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing an information distribution system of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a newspaper article as displayed on a monitor of the information distribution system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows the contents of the broadcast information which corresponds to the newspaper article of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the information distribution system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information distribution system 100 in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, system 100 is designed to electronically distribute a newspaper. It should be pointed out that system 100 can also be used advantageously to distribute other types of information. System 100 contains a plurality of subscriber units (such as units 102 and 104) each connected to a bi-directional communication channel (e.g., telephone connections 106 and 108 coupled to units 102 and 104, respectively) and a satellite transponder 110 for broadcasting digital data to these subscriber units. Telephone connections 106 and 108 (which could be line-based or wireless) are coupled to a central database 109. In system 100, satellite transponder 110 is used to broadcast the content of a newspaper to the subscriber units while telephone connections 106 and 108 are used to provide additional information (stored in central database 109) to subscriber units 102 and 104, respectively, on a demand basis.

The structure of these subscriber units are substantially identical; consequently, only one of these units, such as unit 102, is described in detail. Unit 102 contains an antenna 116 for receiving broadcast signals from satellite transponder 110, a signal/data processor 118 for performing signal and data processing functions, a monitor 120 for displaying the electronic newspaper, and an input device 122 (such as a keyboard and/or a mouse).

Signal/data processor 118 contains a transponder interface 132 for processing transponder signal received from antenna 116. Transponder interface 132 typically contains a low noise receiver for receiving high frequency (e.g., C or Ku band) transponder signal and a “universal data interface” for converting the transponder signal to digital data. The retrieved data is stored in nonvolatile storage 134, such as a hard disk or solid state flash memory. Preferably, satellite transponder 110 broadcasts the newspaper data at predetermined times. Thus, a real-time clock 136 is preferably used to turn on interface 132 at the predetermined times. Processor 118 contains a microcomputer 140 which coordinates the operation of clock 136, nonvolatile storage 134, and interface 132. Processor 118 also contains a communication interface 142 for sending and receiving digital data from central database 109 through telephone connection 106.

The time for broadcast is preferably chosen when communication load of transponder 110 is at a low level (e.g., around mid-night). As a result, the cost of information delivery is low. Alternatively, the time of broadcasting is chosen by transponder 110 because it knows when communication load is light. In this case, transponder 110 first sends a signal to signal/data processor 118 for alerting processor 118 to receive and process the newspaper information.

A user can use the input device 122 and monitor 120 to read the content of the electronic newspaper stored in nonvolatile storage 134. In this embodiment, the complete content of the newspaper is stored in nonvolatile storage 134. The term “complete content” means that the user is able to read the newspaper without relying on information stored in central database 109 (although other embodiments may deliver less than the complete content). In this aspect, system 100 functions in a similar way as the distribution of a conventional printed newspaper. However, the digital data of the electronic newspaper delivered by satellite transponder 110 preferably contains linkage reference which allows fast retrieval of additional information from central database 109.

If the newspaper information received from satellite transponder 110 is sufficient to satisfy the needs of a user, signal/data processor 118 will not activate telephone connection 106. However, if the user wishes to receive additional information relating to an item mentioned in the electronic newspaper (e.g., by selecting at the item using the input device), process 118 will retrieve the information stored in central database 109 using the embedded linkage reference.

In system 100 of the present invention, the complete content of the electronic newspaper (including graphics and other multimedia contents, if delivered) is stored in nonvolatile storage 134, which has fast access time. Further, a dedicated processor (i.e., microcomputer 140) is used to process newspaper information. On the other hand, prior art on-line newspaper distribution systems rely on modem to deliver the content of the newspaper stored in a central site. Further, the processor in the central site has to serve many users in delivering the newspaper. As a result, system 100 has superior performance compared to the prior art on-line newspaper delivery systems.

If it is desirable to limit circulation of the newspaper to a certain class of subscribers only (e.g., paid subscribers), the data transmitted by transponder 110 could be encrypted. As a result, only subscribers who have a decryption key are able to read the newspaper. In this case, microcomputer 140 also performs decryption functions.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a portion of a newspaper article as seen on monitor 120. In FIG. 2A, the terms which a user may obtain additional information are underlined (or highlighted in other ways, such as setting in different colors, depending on the choice of the publisher). If desired, the user may select these terms using a pointing device, such as a mouse, and signal/data processor 118 will obtain the additional information from central database 109.

FIG. 2B shows the same portion in FIG. 2A as transmitted by transponder 110 (for simplicity, the embedded formatting codes, such as center, bold, etc., are not shown). Each of the terms underlined in FIG. 2A are enclosed by a special symbol (e.g., the “

” symbol) and followed by a linkage reference enclosed by another special symbol (e.g., the “

” symbol). These symbols are invisible to the users and is recognizable only by microcomputer 140.

When an underlined term in FIG. 2A is selected by a user, microcomputer 140 extracts the linkage reference and transmits it to central database 109. The linkage reference allows central database 109 to retrieve the necessary information quickly without doing extensive searches. As a result, the response time of system 100 is fast. The retrieved information can itself contain linkage references and can be searched.

If the speed of searching and retrieving data by central database 109 is fast, it may not be necessary to include linkage reference in the information broadcasted by transponder 110. In this case, the user selects (e.g., using the mouse) words and terms he/she is interested in. Signal/data processor 118 transmits the selected items to central database 109, which searches for matches in its database. Matched information is sent to subscriber unit 102 for processing.

The bi-directional channel also allows updating of the broadcasted information. There is typically a time difference between the broadcast and display of information. New information gathered during this time difference can be stored in central database 109 and later transmitted to signal/data processor 118.

In this embodiment of the present invention, satellite transponder 110 is used as the vehicle to electronically broadcast newspaper. However, other broadcast distribution methods can be used. In the present invention, broadcast is defined as one-to-many distribution of information. The broadcast distribution channels do not have to be electrical. For example, the present invention allows the distribution of CDROMs encoded with digital information to the subscriber sites. In the case of electrical broadcast communication channels, both wired and wireless can be used. Preferably, unidirectional channels are used for broadcast because of their low cost; however, the present invention does not preclude the use of bi-directional communication channels (such as telephone lines) as means for distributing broadcast (i.e., one to many) information.

Current technology allows the size of antenna 116 to be as small as 2 feet. The costs of antenna 116 and transponder interface 132 is already low enough to be within the reach of small business or a typical household. The newspaper publisher has to pay for the use of the transponder. However, the cost is comparable to the printing and distribution costs of printed newspaper. It is anticipated that the costs of the newspaper distribution system in accordance with the present invention will be lowered as the number of subscribers increases.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a newspaper distribution system 200 of the present invention. System 200 contains a satellite transponder 210, an earth station 214, and a plurality of subscriber units, such as units 222 and 224. Transponder 210 functions in a similar way as transponder 110 of FIG. 1 and subscriber units 222 and 224 function in a similar way as subscriber units 102 and 104 of FIG. 1. Earth station 214 receives digital data transmitted by transponder 210 using an antenna 216. The data is distributed to subscriber units 222 and 224 via wired communication channel 228, such as cable and optic fiber. Other earth stations could be placed in strategic locations throughout the country to serve their respective subscribers in a similar manner as earth station 214 and subscriber units 222 and 224. As a result, a large geographic area can be served simultaneously by satellite transponder 210. The advantage of this embodiment is that the equipment costs incurred by the subscriber units are low.

In some locations, it may not be desirable to use wired communication channel to link an earth station to subscribers. In such case, wireless communication channel could be used. FIG. 3 shows an earth station 234 which receives transponder signal from transponder 210 using an antenna 236. Earth station 234 in turn broadcasts the digital data to its subscribers, such as subscriber units 242 and 244.

In one embodiment of system 200, teletext technology is used to link earth station 234 and subscriber units 242 and 244. Thus, earth station 234 could be located adjacent to a television transmission station. The digital data received by earth station 234 can be integrated to the vertical blanking interval of a TV signal, which is broadcasted using an antenna 238. Subscriber units 242 and 244 receive the signal using antennas 239, and 240, respectively. The digital data is then retrieved. Various improvements and refinements of the teletext technology are well known and can be incorporated into system 200.

It should be obvious to a person skilled in the art that systems 100 and 200 are not limited to the distribution of a newspaper. Further, electronic newspapers of the future may contain contents which are not available in the printed version, such as video and other multimedia compositions. Other information, such as magazines, graphic images, electronic mails, computer games, multimedia work, or interactive movies, could also be advantageously distributed using a system similar to systems 100 and 200. For example, if it is desirable to distribute interactive movies, the non-interactive portion can be broadcasted while the interactive portion is delivered using a bi-directional channel.

There has thus shown and described a novel information distribution system. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations, uses, and applications are covered by the scope of this invention which is limited only by the appended claims.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

1. An information distribution system for distributing information to users in separate locations, said system comprising: a plurality of receiving devices for receiving at least a portion of the information, at least two of said receiving devices being in separate locations; a plurality of display devices each being in communication with at least one of said receiving devices, said display devices adapted to display the information received by said receiving devices; and a remote site including a processor, a first set of digital data representing a first portion of the information, and a second set of digital data representing a second portion of the information, said processor being in communication with said receiving devices to deliver said first set of digital data and said second set of digital data to said receiving devices, said processor being programmed to send, at a predetermined time, said first set of digital data to said receiving devices, said processor being programmed to send said second set of digital data to a respective one of said receiving devices only in response to a request from said respective one of said receiving devices; said receiving devices receiving said first set of digital data and displaying said first set of digital data on said display devices, said receiving devices sending a request to said processor to extract at least one portion of said second set of digital data in response to a selection of at least one portion of said first set of digital data by one of the users and displaying said extracted at least one portion of said second set of digital data on said display devices.
 2. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein selection of at least a portion of said first set of digital data by a user of one of said receiving devices results in said remote site sending said second set of digital data to one of said receiving devices.
 3. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first set of digital data includes at least one linkage reference to at least said second set of digital data.
 4. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said first set of digital data is highlighted on said display devices to attract a user's attention.
 5. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said second set of digital data includes at least one linkage reference.
 6. The information system of claim 1, wherein said receiving devices are adapted to store said first set of digital data after said first set of digital data is received from said remote site.
 7. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said information comprises multimedia data.
 8. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said information comprises electronic mail.
 9. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said information comprises electronic news.
 10. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first set of digital data comprises at least one header describing at least a portion of said information.
 11. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first set of digital data is in a searchable format.
 12. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first set of digital data is encrypted and wherein each of said receiving devices comprises a key for decrypting said encrypted data.
 13. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said first set of digital data comprises a first sub-set of displayable data, a second sub-set of displayable data, a sub-set of hidden data indicating a presence of said second sub-set of displayable data, and a linkage reference associated with said second sub-set of displayable data.
 14. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said remote site is in wireless communication with said receiving devices.
 15. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said remote site is in wired communication with said receiving devices.
 16. The information distribution system of claim 1, wherein said remote site communicates with said receiving devices via television frequency signals.
 17. The information distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a telephone.
 18. The information distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a bidirectional communication channel between said remote site and said receiving devices.
 19. A method for distributing information from a processor in one location to at least one receiving device at a separate location, the receiving device being in communication with a display device adapted to display the information received by the receiving device, the method comprising the steps of: distributing at least a first set of digital data representing a first portion of the information from the processor to the at least one receiving device, the first set of digital data including at least one linkage reference to a second set of digital data representing a second portion of the information; displaying the first set of digital data on the at least one display device; selecting at least one portion of the first set of digital data associated with the linkage reference; delivering the second set of digital data from the processor to the at least one receiving device as a result of the selection of the at least one portion of the first set of digital data associated with the linkage reference; and displaying the second set of digital data on the at least one display device.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of displaying the first set of digital data includes highlighting of at least a portion of the first set of digital data on the display device to attract a user's attention.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of including at least one linkage reference with the second set of digital data.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of distributing the first set of digital data includes storing the first set of digital data on the receiving device.
 23. The information method of claim 19, wherein the information comprises multimedia data.
 24. The method of claim 19, wherein the information comprises electronic mail.
 25. The method of claim 19, wherein the information comprises electronic news.
 26. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing the first set of digital data with at least one header describing at least a portion of the information.
 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of digital data is in a searchable format.
 28. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of encrypting the first set of digital data and providing the at least one receiving device with a key for decrypting the encrypted data.
 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of digital data comprises a first sub-set of displayable data, a second sub-set of displayable data, a sub-set of hidden data indicating a presence of the second sub-set of displayable data, and a linkage reference associated with the second sub-set of displayable data.
 30. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of distributing and delivering include communication of the processor and the at least one receiving device via at least one wireless connection.
 31. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of distributing and delivering include communication of the processor and the at least one receiving device via at least one wired connection.
 32. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of distributing and delivering include communication of the processor and the at least one receiving device via at least one television frequency signal.
 33. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of distributing and delivering include communication of the processor and the at least one receiving device via at least one bidirectional channel.
 34. The method of claim 19, wherein the steps of delivering and distributing include a telephone communication link. 